Lighting device and liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A light source includes: a first electrode using a reflective material; an EL layer; and a second electrode using a light-transmitting conductive film, in which light emitted from the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode; a selective reflection structure is provided on a light extraction side of the second electrode without an air layer interposed therebetween; and the selective reflection structure has a function of transmitting light of a particular polarization component and reflecting light of the other component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lighting device, a liquid crystalelement integrally provided with a surface light source, and a liquidcrystal display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flat panel displays such as liquid crystal panels have been improved,and attempts have been made to improve image quality, reduce powerconsumption, and improve lifetime. On the other hand, various self-lightemitting displays such as PDP (Plasma Display Panel), FED (FieldEmission Display), SED (Surface-Conduction Electron-emitter Display),organic electroluminescence (hereinafter referred to as EL) display, andinorganic EL display have been studied, and some of them have been putinto practical use. These displays using a self-light emitting displaydevice have been developed for the purpose of breaking into the liquidcrystal display market. One feature of these displays is that athickness of a display portion of a product can be thinned because abacklight is not necessary like liquid crystal, which is advantageous interms of power consumption.

Even to liquid crystal displays including a wide variety of productsfrom small to large sized products in manufacturing techniques orinfrastructures, the entry of the above-described self-light emittingdisplay to a market is a threat, and a problem remaining in a displayusing a liquid crystal panel requires a response.

The above-described problem of the liquid crystal display includes thefollowing problems: to reduce a space necessary for a backlight andpower consumption for driving this backlight; to improve the loss oflight other than polarization which needs light polarized as input lightto liquid crystal, a cost increase due to a structure such as an opticalfilm for making incident light uniform in the plane, an increase ofspace; and the like.

In order to solve the above-described problems, downsizing, highefficiency, and longer lifetime of a cold-cathode tube has beencontinuously developed. Instead of a cold-cathode tube, improvement ofluminous efficiency of a, light emitting diode has been studied, andimprovement thereof has been advanced (e.g., Reference 1: JapanesePublished Patent Application No. H8-248420). However, these lightsources are a linear light source or a point light source, and a scatterplate having a strong scattering property or a light conducting plate isnecessary to obtain uniform luminance.

Furthermore, in order to use light efficiently, there is a liquidcrystal display in which multiple kinds of expensiveluminance-increasing films are combined, arranged or the like between alight source and the liquid crystal panel. These films can transmit apredetermined polarized light component, the other component can bereturned to the light source side, and light thereof can be reflected onthe light source side and reused as light incident on the panel again bychanging a polarization direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, these films and a point light source or a linear light sourceare arranged with an air layer having a large refractive indexdifference of light interposed therebetween. Therefore, loss such asloss at an interface cannot be overlooked, and further improvement isnecessary. In addition, problems of high costs of these films, requiringspace installation and the like remain.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting devicestructure which can provide a polarizing function and improve light-useefficiency in the case where a lighting device is used as a light sourceof a device using a polarization property, specifically, this lightingdevice is used as a backlight of a liquid crystal panel. Furthermore,another object of the present invention is to provide a structureintegrally provided with a light source of a liquid crystal displaydevice using this lighting device.

A structure of a lighting device of the present invention includes afirst electrode and a second electrode which face each other, and atleast an EL layer provided between the first electrode and the secondelectrode. The first electrode, the EL layer, and the second electrodeare sequentially stacked. Alternatively, the second electrode, the ELlayer, and the first electrode are sequentially stacked. In addition,light emitted from the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode.

The first electrode of a light-emitting element is an electrode whichcan reflect light from a light emitting layer. In addition, the secondelectrode is an electrode which can transmit light from the lightemitting layer.

Furthermore, there is a structure which has a function of selectivelytransmitting an arbitrary polarization component and reflecting acomponent of light other than that component in a direction of lightwhich passes through the second electrode (hereinafter, a selectivereflection structure). The component of light which has been selectivelytransmitted herein can be used as incident light on liquid crystal. Thelight of the component is referred to as effective light here. Inaddition, reflected light of a component other than the component whichhas been selectively transmitted is referred to as ineffective lighthere. In the present invention, ineffective light does not mean lightwhich is not necessary, but means light which can be extracted aseffective light by changing a polarization state by reflection or thelike.

Here, by reflecting a component of reflected light which is ineffectivelight between the first electrode having reflectivity and the selectivereflection structure provided in the lighting device, a polarizationplane or polarization state of this reflected light can be changed. Inorder to change the polarization state more efficiently, a function of aretardation plate or a function of a scatter plate may be used alone orcombined with each other. Thus, the reflected light can be changed intolight of the same component as the transmitted light, and this componentcan also be extracted as effective light.

As a specific example of the selective reflection structure, areflecting-polarizing plate by a combination of cholesteric liquidcrystal and a polarizing film may be used, or a splitting optical deviceof P-wave polarization and S-wave polarization, such as a polarizationbeam splitter (hereinafter PBS), may be combined. Although only thisstructure may be used, more preferably, in addition to the splittingoptical device of P-wave polarization and S-wave polarization, astructure having an optical function such as a quarter-wave retardationplate, a scatter plate, or a scattering structure may be used alone ormay be combined in order to enhance conversion efficiency and toactively change a polarization plane or polarization state ofineffective light to be reflected. Here, a structure combining them isdefined as a selective reflection structure widely.

In emission light from a surface light source in which an EL layerbetween a first electrode and a second electrode emits light by applyinga drive voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, only apredetermined polarized light component is transmitted and ineffectivelight of the other component is reflected by forming a selectivereflection structure having a selective reflection function ofpolarization. By using this operation, change of a polarization state orpolarization plane with reflection of ineffective light can be causedbetween this selective reflection structure and a reflection electrodeof the lighting device. Thus, light of the lighting device can beefficiently extracted in an arbitrary polarization state on an emissionside of the lighting device. Linearly polarized light is usually used.

One feature herein is that loss at an interface between an air layer anda film surface arranged over a selective reflection structure can bereduced because the selective reflection structure and a light sourcecan be arranged without an air layer interposed therebetween. Thus, lossof light can be reduced more than conventional loss, even in the case ofmultiple reflections between the first electrode which is a reflectionelectrode and the selective reflection structure.

One mode of a lighting device of the present invention includes: a firstelectrode using a reflective material; an EL layer; a second electrodeusing a light-transmitting conductive film; and a selective reflectionstructure, in which light emitted from the EL layer is extracted fromthe second electrode; the selective reflection structure is provided ona light extraction side of the second electrode without an air layerinterposed therebetween; and the selective reflection structure has afunction of transmitting light of a particular polarization componentand reflecting the other light.

Another mode of a lighting device of the present invention includes: asubstrate; a first electrode; an EL layer; a second electrode; and aselective reflection structure, in which the first electrode, the ELlayer, and the second electrode are sequentially stacked over thesubstrate; the first electrode includes a reflective material; thesecond electrode includes a light-transmitting material; light emittedfrom the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode; the selectivereflection structure is provided on a light extraction side of thesecond electrode without an air layer interposed therebetween; and theselective reflection structure has a function of transmitting light of aparticular polarization component and reflecting the other light.

Another mode of a lighting device of the present invention includes: asubstrate using a light-transmitting material; a second electrode usinga light-transmitting material; an EL layer; a first electrode using areflective material; and a selective reflection structure, in which thesecond electrode, the EL layer, and the first electrode are sequentiallystacked over one side of the substrate; the selective reflectionstructure is provided over the other side of the substrate; lightemitted from the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode; lightextracted from the second electrode enters the selective reflectionstructure through the substrate without an air layer interposedtherebetween; and the selective reflection structure has a function oftransmitting light of a particular polarization component of enteringlight and reflecting the other light.

Another mode of a lighting device of the present invention includes: asubstrate using a light-transmitting material; a second electrode usinga light-transmitting material; an EL layer; a first electrode using areflective material; an adhesive layer; and a selective reflectionstructure, in which the second electrode, the EL layer, and the firstelectrode are sequentially stacked over one side of the substrate; theadhesive layer is provided in contact with the other side of thesubstrate; the selective reflection structure is provided in contactwith the adhesive layer; light emitted from the EL layer is extractedfrom the second electrode; light extracted from the second electrodeenters the selective reflection structure through the substrate and theadhesive layer; and the selective reflection structure has a function oftransmitting light of a particular polarization component of enteringlight and reflecting the other light.

One mode of a liquid crystal display device of the present inventionincludes: a liquid crystal provided between a first substrate and asecond substrate; a pixel electrode using a light-transmittingconductive film; and a semiconductor element connected to the pixelelectrode, and the pixel electrode and the semiconductor element areformed over the first substrate; the first substrate is alight-transmitting and insulating substrate; the second substrate isprovided with a first electrode using a reflective material, an ELlayer, a second electrode using a light-transmitting conductive film;and a selective reflection structure; light emitted from the EL layer isextracted from the second electrode; and the selective reflectionstructure is provided on a light extraction side of the second electrodewithout an air layer interposed therebetween.

Another mode of a liquid crystal display device of the present inventionincludes: a liquid crystal provided between a first substrate and asecond substrate; a pixel electrode using a light-transmittingconductive film; and a semiconductor element connected to the pixelelectrode, and the pixel electrode and the semiconductor element areformed over the first substrate; the first substrate is alight-transmitting and insulating substrate; the second substrate isprovided with a selective reflection structure on a surface facing thepixel electrode; a second electrode using a light-transmittingconductive film, an EL layer, and a first electrode using a reflectivematerial are sequentially stacked over a back side of the secondsubstrate; and the second substrate is a light-transmitting andinsulating substrate.

Another mode of a liquid crystal display device of the present inventionincludes: a liquid crystal provided between a first substrate and asecond substrate; a pixel electrode using a light-transmittingconductive film; a semiconductor element connected to the pixelelectrode; and a selective reflection structure, and the pixel electrodeand the semiconductor element are formed over the first substrate; thefirst substrate is a light-transmitting and insulating substrate; thesecond substrate is provided with an adhesive layer in contact with asurface facing the pixel electrode; the selective reflection structureis provided in contact with the adhesive layer; a second electrode usinga light-transmitting conductive film, an EL layer, and a first electrodeusing a reflective material are sequentially stacked over a back side ofthe second substrate; and the second substrate is a light-transmittingand insulating substrate.

In the above structure, the selective reflection structure may includean optical structure combined with a function of a polarization beamsplitter which is formed to transmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave tothe first electrode side. In addition, the selective reflectionstructure may include a retardation plate transmitting a circularpolarization component having a particular rotation direction of lightwhich enters and converting transmitted light of the circularpolarization component into linear polarization; and a reflectivepolarizing function which is formed to reflect light of the othercomponent to the first electrode side.

Here, in the light-emitting element of the present invention, the ELlayer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode mayhave at least one light emitting layer. The EL layer may be providedwith plural light emitting layers.

In addition, a light-emitting element in which a layer such as anelectron injecting layer, an electron transporting layer, a holeblocking layer, a hole transporting layer, or a hole injecting layerbesides the light emitting layer is formed as appropriate can also beincluded in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the EL layer of the present invention may be an EL layer inwhich an inorganic light-emitting material is dispersed in a binder oran EL layer formed as a thin film. Further, a light-emitting elementprovided with one or more dielectric layers as well as a light emittinglayer may be included in the scope of the present invention.

As an effect of the present invention, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a liquid crystal displaydevice of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a liquid crystal displaydevice of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A to 11D are views illustrating electronic devices of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams illustrating a lighting device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiment modes of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the presentinvention can be implemented in various modes. For example, embodimentmodes can be combined as appropriate. As is easily known to a personskilled in the art, the mode and the detail of the present invention canbe variously changed without departing from the spirit and the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the present invention should not beinterpreted as being limited to the following description of theembodiment modes.

Embodiment Mode 1

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a lighting device provided with apolarization function of this embodiment mode. One side of a substrate101 is provided with a first electrode 102 using a reflective materialand an insulating layer 103 which is provided after the first electrodeis formed, and an EL layer 104 is provided in a light emitting region onthe first electrode. A second electrode 105 using a light-transmitting(conductive film) material is provided over the EL layer to serve as thelight emitting region. Furthermore, a selective reflection structure 107is provided with an adhesive layer 106 interposed between the secondelectrode 105 and the selective reflection structure 107.

In this structure, a lead-out portion 111 of the first electrode and alead-out portion 112 of the second electrode are formed over the oneside of the substrate 101.

Here, this selective reflection structure 107 is formed using anaggregate (hereinafter a PBS array) 109 of PBS blocks 108 each includingtwo PBSs in which optical function surfaces (hereinafter, optical axialplanes) thereof are arranged at an angle of 90°.

An S-wave component (hereinafter, an S-wave) of light entering from alight source is reflected between these two PBS blocks 108, andreflected light of the S-wave is returned to the light source side. Atthis time, a P-wave component (hereinafter, a P-wave) passes throughthis optical function surface to serve as emission light of the lightsource.

Further, as a component of the selective reflection structure 107, anexample is shown here, in which quarter-wave retardation plates(hereinafter, quarter-wave plates) 110 are arranged at predeterminedpositions. An S-wave reflected light which is reflected and returned tothe light source side by the PBS blocks 108 is converted into light of acircular polarization component or light of an elliptical polarizationcomponent having a rotating direction by passing through thequarter-wave plate 110. When this returned reflected light of circularpolarization or elliptical polarization is reflected again at areflection surface of the first electrode, and when this returnedreflected light of circular polarization or elliptical polarizationenters the quarter-wave plate again, another quarter-wave phasedifference is given; therefore, the returned reflected light of circularpolarization or elliptical polarization can be converted into light of aP-wave component or light of a large amount of a P-wave component andpass through the PBS blocks. In the present invention, light which isreflected and of which a light direction is changed in the selectivereflection structure is referred to as reflected light.

That is, the quarter-wave plate 110 of this embodiment mode is providedin order to change a polarization state most efficiently. In thisexample, the quarter-wave plate 110 is formed only on one side of one ofthe PBSs included in the PBS block 108; however, the quarter-wave plate110 may be formed over the entire surface of a PBS array 209, like aquarter-wave plate 210 shown in FIG. 2. Needless to say, improvement canbe expected compared with a conventional light source even when thequarter-wave plate 110 is not provided to reduce structural cost.

In this embodiment mode, the selective reflection structure 107 isdescribed using the PBS block 108 each including two PBSs in whichoptical function surfaces (hereinafter, optical axial planes) thereofare arranged at an angle of 90°. However, an object is to transmit aneffective light component, to reflect and return ineffective light tothe light source side; therefore, this angle is not limited to 90°. Forexample, this angle may be 60° or 140° as long as the object can beachieved.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 2

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a lighting device provided with apolarization function of this embodiment mode. One side of a substrateis provided with a light source structure, and the other side of thesubstrate is provided with a selective reflection structure. Thisstructure is referred to as a double-sided structure here.

On one side of a substrate 1101, a second electrode 1105 using alight-transmitting material is provided, an insulating layer 1103 isprovided after this second electrode is formed, and an EL layer 1104 isprovided in a light emitting region over the second electrode. A firstelectrode 1102 using a reflective material is provided over the EL layer1104 to serve as the light emitting region. Furthermore, a protectivefilm 1113 is provided over this first electrode 1102.

In addition, the other side of the substrate is provided with aselective reflection structure 1107, with an adhesive layer 1106interposed therebetween, at a position approximately corresponding to aregion where light is emitted from the second electrode.

A feature of this structure is that a lead-out portion 1111 of the firstelectrode and a lead-out portion 1112 of the second electrode areprovided on a side opposite to an emission side of light from theselective reflection structure.

Description is omitted here because an optical function from a lightsource is similar to that in Embodiment Mode 1 except that a glasssubstrate is sandwiched between a light source and a selectivereflection structure.

A quarter-wave plate 1110 of this embodiment mode is provided in orderto change a polarization state most efficiently. In this example, thequarter-wave plate 1110 is formed only on one side of one of two PBSsincluded in a PBS block 1108; however, FIG. 4 shows an example in whicha quarter-wave plate is omitted in the double-sided structure inEmbodiment Mode 2.

In this embodiment mode, when scatterers 2110 are dispersed in anadhesive layer 2106 as a scattering layer, by using not a property inwhich a polarization state is changed but an effect in which apolarization plane is mainly changed intentionally, light emitted fromthe light source is scattered, and luminance uniformity is improvedfurther, as well as extraction efficiency being improved. In terms ofextraction efficiency of emitted-light, the lighting device shown inFIG. 4 is inferior to a lighting device having the quarter-wave plate1110; however, the lighting device shown in FIG. 4 has advantages inthat the lighting device can have a simple structure in terms ofmanufacturing and cost can be reduced.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 3

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a lighting device provided with apolarization function of this embodiment mode. One side of a substrate301 is provided with a first electrode 302 using a reflective materialand an insulating layer 303 which is provided after this first electrodeis formed, and an EL layer 304 is provided in a light emitting regionover the first electrode. The EL layer to serve as the light emittingregion is provided with a second electrode 305 using alight-transmitting (conductive film) material. Furthermore, a selectivereflection structure 307 is provided with a passivation layer 306interposed between the second electrode 305 and the selective reflectionstructure 307.

In this structure, a lead-out portion 310 of the first electrode and alead-out portion 311 of the second electrode are formed over the oneside of the substrate 301.

Here, this selective reflection structure 307 transmits only apredetermined circular polarization component, and this transmittedlight component is converted into linear polarization by stackedretardation plates, and is outputted. In addition, this selectivereflection structure 307 has an operation of reflecting light of theother component.

Further, as a component of the selective reflection structure 307, anexample is shown here, in which a quarter-wave plate 309 is provided ata predetermined position. By passing through the quarter-wave plate 309,a polarization state of light which passes through this optical film ischanged. Light which enters a reflection polarization plate 308 can bepolarization-converted at the time of passing through the quarter-waveplate 309, first. Of the incident light which has beenpolarization-converted, only a predetermined circular polarizationcomponent is transmitted through the reflection polarization plate 308,converted into linear polarization by the polarization plate, andoutputted as effective light.

In addition, ineffective light reflected by the reflection polarizationplate 308 is polarization-converted and returned to a light sourcedirection, by passing through the quarter-wave plate 309 again. Thisineffective light is reflected by the first electrode of the lightsource, and serves as incident light on the selective reflectionstructure again. Here, this ineffective light is polarization-convertedby the quarter-wave plate 309 again, and a predetermined circularpolarization component thereof is emitted as effective light.

Although the quarter-wave plate 309 of this example is provided in orderto change a polarization state more efficiently, FIG. 6 shows an examplewhich does not use a quarter-wave plate to give priority onmanufacturing cost. One side of a substrate 401 is provided with a firstelectrode 402 using a reflective material and an insulating layer 403which is provided after this first electrode is formed, and an EL layer404 is provided in a light emitting region over the first electrode 401.The EL layer to serve as the light emitting region is provided with asecond electrode 405 using a light-transmitting (conductive film)material. Furthermore, a selective reflection structure 407 including areflection polarization plate 408 is provided with a passivation layer406 interposed between the second electrode 405 and the selectivereflection structure 407. In this structure, a lead-out portion 409 ofthe first electrode and a lead-out portion 410 of the second electrodeare formed over the one side of the substrate 401. Although efficiencyis sacrificed in some degree, improvement can be expected compared witha conventional light source.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 4

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a lighting device provided with apolarization function of this embodiment mode. Another example of adouble-sided structure is shown, in which one side of a substrate isprovided with a light source structure and the other side of thesubstrate is provided with a selective reflection structure.

On one side of a substrate 3301, a second electrode 3305 using alight-transmitting material is provided and an insulating layer 3303 isprovided after this second electrode is formed, and an EL layer 3304 isprovided in a light emitting region over the second electrode. A firstelectrode 3302 using a reflective material is provided over the EL layer3304 to serve as the light emitting region. Furthermore, a protectivefilm 3306 is provided over this first electrode 3302.

In addition, the other side of the substrate is provided with aselective reflection structure 3307 at a position approximatelycorresponding to a region where light is emitted from the secondelectrode.

A feature of this structure is that a lead-out portion 3310 of the firstelectrode and a lead-out portion 3311 of the second electrode areprovided on a side opposite to an emission side of light from theselective reflection structure 3307.

Description is omitted here because an optical function from a lightsource is similar to that in Embodiment Mode 3 except that a glasssubstrate is sandwiched between a light source and a selectivereflection structure.

The selective reflection structure 3307 of this embodiment mode includesa quarter-wave plate 3309 and a reflection polarization plate 3308 inorder to change a polarization state efficiently. Although optical thinfilms are formed on the substrate directly, they may be formed using amember made of a film including an adhesive layer.

Here, FIG. 8 shows an example in which a quarter-wave plate is omittedand a scattering layer is used in the double-sided structure inEmbodiment Mode 3. The selective reflection structure 4307 includes areflection polarization plate 4312.

In this embodiment mode, when scatterers 4309 are dispersed in anadhesive layer 4308 as a scattering layer, by using not a property inwhich a polarization state is changed but an effect in which apolarization plane is mainly changed intentionally, light emitted fromthe light source is scattered, and luminance uniformity is improvedfurther as well as extraction efficiency being improved. The lightingdevice shown in FIG. 8 has advantages in that this structure can besimple in terms of manufacturing and cost can be reduced.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 5

This embodiment mode will describe an example in which the presentinvention is used for an active matrix liquid crystal panel having adisplay function, with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIG. 9A is a schematic view of an active matrix liquid crystal panelwhen seen from the top. A counter substrate 801 is firmly fixed to anelement substrate 800 with a sealant 802.

The element substrate 800 is provided with a pixel portion 803, a gatedriver circuit 804, and a source driver circuit 805. Each of the gatedriver circuit 804 and the source driver circuit 805 is connected to anFPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 806 which is an external input terminal,through a wiring group. The source driver line 805 and the gate driverline 804 each receive a video signal, a clock signal, a start signal, areset signal, various power supplies, or the like from the FPC 806.

Transistors in the pixel portion 803, the gate driver circuit 804, andthe source driver circuit 805 are thin film transistors (hereinafter,TFTs). Note that the gate driver circuit 804 and the source drivercircuit 805 are not necessarily provided over the same element substrate800 as the pixel portion 803, as in the example described above. Forexample, the gate driver circuit 804 and the source driver circuit 805may be provided outside the substrate by using a TCP in which an IC chipis mounted on an FPC on which a wiring pattern is formed, or the like.In addition, a part of circuits in each of the gate driver circuit 804and the source driver circuit 805 may be provided over the elementsubstrate 800, and another part of them may be provided outside theelement substrate 800.

FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view along a line A-A′ of FIG. 9A. Thiscounter substrate 801 is provided with a light source having apolarization function of the present invention, and a light-emissionsurface of effective light from this counter substrate and an elementsurface of the element substrate 800 are arranged so as to face eachother while a predetermined space (hereinafter, a cell gap) is kept.Liquid crystal 807 is oriented inside the sealant 802 which firmly fixesthese substrates (the element substrate 800 and the counter substrate801), and a panel provided with a light source is formed.

Although not shown here, orientation films which are subjected toorientation treatment are formed on surfaces having an oppositeelectrode 819 and a pixel electrode 823. In addition, a spacer 820 isformed over the element substrate in order to keep the cell gap here.Although not shown, a spacer material, called a filler may be mixed intothe sealant 802. In this structure, light is extracted from the elementsubstrate 800 side.

Here, a first electrode 808 using a reflective material, an EL layer 809to serve as a light-emitting portion, and a second electrode 810 using alight-transmitting conductive material are sequentially stacked over thecounter substrate 801. Although not shown in this cross-sectional view,in the case where the first electrode and the second electrode may beelectrically short-circuited, an insulating layer may be provided in aregion except a light-emitting area and a power supply connectionportion to avoid short-circuit.

Next the second electrode 810 is provided with a passivation layer 811for the purpose of preventing adverse effect caused by moisture oroxygen on the EL layer here.

As a reflective material, a conductive film made of titanium, tungsten,nickel, gold, platinum, silver, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, lithium,an alloy thereof, or the like can be used.

As a light-transmitting conductive material, indium tin oxide (ITO),indium zinc oxide (IZO) in which zinc oxide (ZnO) is mixed in indiumoxide, a conductive material in which silicon oxide (SiO₂) is mixed inindium oxide, organic indium, organotin, indium oxide containingtungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indiumoxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide containing titaniumoxide, or the like can be used.

A planarizing film can be formed using a material of silicon oxide,silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride oxide, aluminumnitride (AlN), aluminum oxide containing nitrogen (also referred to asaluminum oxynitride) (AlON), aluminum nitride containing oxygen (alsoreferred to as aluminum nitride oxide) (AlNO), aluminum oxide,diamond-like carbon (DLC), polysilazane, nitrogen-containing carbon(CN), phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG),alumina, or other substances containing an inorganic insulatingmaterial. In addition, a siloxane resin may also be used. Further, anorganic insulating material may be used. Furthermore, resist, aphotosensitive or non-photosensitive organic material such as polyimide,acrylic, polyamide, polyimide amide, or benzocyclobutene can also beused. In addition, an oxazole resin can also be used, and for example, aphoto-curable polybenzoxazole or the like can be used.

The passivation film may be formed using an insulating film includingsilicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitrideoxide, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxynitride, aluminum nitride oxidecontaining more nitrogen than oxygen, aluminum oxide, diamond-likecarbon (DLC), or nitrogen-containing carbon, and a single layer or astacked layer of the insulating films can be used. Alternatively, asiloxane resin may also be used.

In this embodiment mode, the passivation layer 811 is provided with aselective reflection structure 827 in which a PBS array 814 and aquarter-wave retardation plate 813 are combined, which is described inEmbodiment Mode 1, with an adhesive layer 812 interposed between thepassivation layer 811 and the selective reflection structure 827.

Since uniformity of the cell gap in the pixel portion 803 is importantin the liquid crystal panel, planarity is necessary particularly in thisdisplay region on the counter substrate side. Therefore, a planarizingfilm 815 is formed on the selective reflection structure 827 in whichthe PBS array 814 and the quarter-wave retardation plate 813 arecombined.

Furthermore, as a structure of a liquid crystal panel capable of colordisplay in this embodiment mode, a black matrix (hereinafter, BM) 816, acolor filter 817, and an overcoat 818 are sequentially formed on theplanarizing film 815. Here, the overcoat 818 serves to prevent adiffusing material from the BM 816 and the color filter 817 fromadversely affecting liquid crystal or an element on the elementsubstrate, as well as serving as a planarizing effect. Alight-transmitting conductive film to serve as the opposite electrode819 of liquid crystal is formed on this overcoat 818.

On the other hand, the pixel portion 803 is formed using a pixel TFT821, an auxiliary capacitor 822, and a pixel electrode 823 using alight-transmitting conductive film over the element substrate 800. Thesource driver circuit 805 is formed using a thin film transistor using acircuit TFT 824 or the like. Similarly, although not shown in thiscross-sectional view, the gate driver circuit 804 is also formed using athin film transistor or the like. The source driver circuit 805 and thegate driver circuit 804 are connected to the FPC 806 through a terminallead wire 825 of a terminal portion 826, and various power supplies orsignals are applied.

Although not shown in the cross-sectional view in this embodiment mode,lead-out portions of the first electrode 808 and the second electrode810 are provided inside the counter substrate 801 at the time of forminga panel. Therefore, application of power supply to these electrodes maybe performed by electrically connecting the wiring of the elementsubstrate 800 and the terminal lead wire to each other through aconductive spacer, a conductive paste, or the like; or by directlyproviding a power supply wiring on the inside surface of the countersubstrate 801 by increasing the outer shape of the counter substrate801.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 6

This embodiment mode will describe another example in which the presentinvention is used for an active matrix liquid crystal panel having adisplay function, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. In thisembodiment mode, the structure described in Embodiment Mode 4 is usedfor a counter substrate of the liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of an active matrix liquid crystal panelwhen seen from the top. A counter substrate 901 is firmly fixed to anelement substrate 900 with a sealant 902.

The element substrate 900 is provided with a pixel portion 903, a gatedriver circuit 904, and a source driver circuit 905. Each of the gatedriver circuit 904 and the source driver circuit 905 is connected to anFPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 906 which is an external input terminal,through a wiring group. The source driver line 905 and the gate driverline 904 each receive a video signal, a clock signal, a start signal, areset signal, various power supplies, or the like from the FPC 906.

Transistors in the pixel portion 903, and the gate driver circuit 904and the source driver circuit 905 which are a driver circuit portion arethin film transistors (hereinafter, TFTs). Note that the gate drivercircuit 904 and the source driver circuit 905 are not necessarilyprovided over the same element substrate 900 as the pixel portion 903,as in the example described above. For example, the gate driver circuit904 and the source driver circuit 905 may be provided outside thesubstrate by using a TCP in which an IC chip is mounted on an FPC onwhich a wiring pattern is formed, or the like. In addition, a part ofcircuits in each of the gate driver circuit 904 and the source drivercircuit 905 may be provided over the element substrate 900, and anotherpart of them may be provided outside the element substrate 900.

FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional view along a line A-A′ of FIG. 10A.This counter substrate 901 is provided with a light source having apolarization function of the present invention, and a light-emissionsurface of effective light from this counter substrate and an elementsurface of the element substrate 900 are arranged so as to face eachother while a predetermined space (hereinafter, a cell gap) is kept.Liquid crystal 907 is oriented inside the sealant 902 which firmly fixesthe element substrate 900 and the counter substrate 901, and a panelprovided with a light source is formed.

Although not shown here, orientation films which are subjected toorientation treatment are formed on surfaces having an oppositeelectrode 921 and a pixel electrode 925. In addition, a spacer 922 isformed over the element substrate in order to keep the cell gap here.Although not shown, a spacer material, called a filler may be mixed intothe sealant 902. In this structure, light is extracted from the elementsubstrate 900 side.

Here, a second electrode 908 using a light-transmitting conductivematerial, an insulating layer 909, an EL layer 910 to serve as alight-emitting portion, and a first electrode 911 using a reflectivematerial are sequentially stacked over one side of the counter substrate901. The insulating layer 909 is provided for avoiding electricalshort-circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode

The first electrode 911 is provided with a passivation layer 912 for thepurpose of preventing adverse effect caused by moisture or oxygen on theEL layer. In addition, a protective film 913 is provided over thepassivation layer 912 for protecting the light source portion. Thepassivation layer 912 and the protective film 913 may be provided, ifnecessary.

In addition, on the other side of the counter substrate, a selectivereflection structure 914 is formed at a position approximatelycorresponding to a region of a light-emission surface in which light ofthe light-emitting portion is extracted from the second electrode. Here,the selective reflection structure 914 is formed using a combination ofa quarter-wave retardation plate 915 and a reflection polarization plate916.

Since uniformity of the cell gap in the pixel portion 903 is importantin the liquid crystal panel, planarity is necessary particularly in thisdisplay region on the counter substrate side. Therefore, a planarizingfilm 917 is formed on the selective reflection structure 914.

Furthermore, as a structure of a liquid crystal panel capable of colordisplay in this embodiment mode, a black matrix (hereinafter, BM) 918, acolor filter 919, and an overcoat 920 are sequentially formed on theplanarizing film 917. Here, the overcoat 920 serves to prevent adiffusing material from the BM 918 and the color filter 919 fromadversely affecting liquid crystal or an element on the elementsubstrate, as well as serving as a planarizing effect. Alight-transmitting conductive film to serve as the opposite electrode921 of liquid crystal is formed on this overcoat 920.

On the other hand, the pixel portion 903 is formed using a pixel TFT923, an auxiliary capacitor 924, and a pixel electrode 925 using alight-transmitting conductive film over the element substrate 900. Thesource driver circuit 905 is formed using a thin film transistor using acircuit TFT 926 or the like. Similarly, although not shown in thiscross-sectional view, the gate driver circuit 904 is also formed using athin film transistor or the like. The source driver circuit 905 and thegate driver circuit 904 are connected to the FPC 906 through a terminallead wire 927 of a terminal portion 928, and various power supplies orsignals are applied.

In this embodiment mode, at the time of forming a panel, a firstelectrode lead-out portion 929 which is electrically connected to thefirst electrode 911 and a second electrode lead-out portion 930 which iselectrically connected to the second electrode 908 are provided on anouter side of the counter substrate 901.

In general, the first electrode lead-out portion 929 is formed at thesame time as the first electrode 911 is formed, and the second electrodelead-out portion 930 is formed at the same time as the second electrode908 is formed.

The second electrode and the second electrode lead-out portion areformed using ITO, ZnO, or the like which is a light-transmittingconductive material; however, there are problems as follows: filmsformed using light-transmitting conductive materials have higherelectrical resistance than that of a metal material; it is undesirableto treat these light-transmitting conductive films themselves in anexposed state in terms of reliability; and in the case of performingdirect soldering or the like, special soldering equipment and a materialare necessary, and the like.

In this embodiment mode, over the second electrode lead-out portion 930which is formed in advance, a first electrode formation film using ametal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy is stacked so as tobe electrically separated from the first electrode at the same time asthe first electrode 911 is formed. Thus, resistance of the secondelectrode lead-out portion of the second electrode is reduced, andreliability is improved.

When a display surface of the liquid panel is a front face, a back sideof the panel is provided with a power supply connection portion.

Embodiment Modes 1 to 6 describe structural examples in which extractionefficiency of light emitted from the lighting device (light source) canbe improved at the same time as light polarized can be extracted;however, the selective reflection structure may be formed simply using afilm having a similar operation to a polarization plate, or the like.Since an air layer is not provided between the light source and thepolarization plate, optical loss at the interface therebetween can beimproved.

Alternatively, on a light-emission side of effective light of a lightsource which is integrally provided as shown in Embodiment Modes 1 to 6,by providing another polarization plate (film) or the like, and aligninga transmission axis of the polarization plate and a polarization planeof emission light such that emission light can pass through thepolarization plane of emission light, a polarizing light source havingbetter extinction ratio can be provided. Thus, the contrast or the likeof a liquid crystal display device or the like can be improved.

Note that this embodiment mode describes the active matrix liquidcrystal panel; however, this embodiment mode can be used for a passivematrix liquid crystal panel.

In addition, it is preferable that areas of the EL layers 809 and 910 toserve as the light-emitting portions of the light sources be slightlylarger than areas of the pixel portions 803 and 903 described inEmbodiment Modes 5 and 6 respectively. However, increasing the sizes ofthese light-emitting portions themselves can lead to an increase ofpower consumption. Furthermore, it is not preferable that the thin filmtransistors such as the circuit TFTs 824 and 926 which form the sourcedriver circuits 805 and 905 and the gate driver circuits 804 and 904respectively be irradiated with ineffective light in consideration of aneffect of light leakage. The present invention also has a feature thatthe region of the light-emitting portion can be selectively provided inaccordance with each panel shape. Namely, the EL layer may beselectively provided so as to overlap with a pixel region.

As an effect of this embodiment mode, by using a surface light source,particularly, a scattering optical system or the like is not necessary,and emission light having less luminance variation can be used. Inaddition, since light can be emitted from a plane, the surface lightsource can be disposed on a parallel plane at a distance very close tothe selective reflection structure, and a structure integrally providedwith a light source without including an air layer can be formed.Therefore, refractive index difference can be reduced, and a structurehaving less loss at the interface can be formed. With these features, anoperation in which ineffective light reflected can also be converted andextracted as well as a single polarization component is realized;accordingly, a polarizing light source having higher light-useefficiency can be formed.

Furthermore, one substrate can be provided with these functions;therefore, the substrate can be used not only as a light source of abacklight of liquid crystal but also as a counter substrate of theliquid crystal directly, and a liquid crystal panel incorporating abacklight can be realized.

With these effects, a thin liquid crystal panel with low powerconsumption can be realized.

Embodiment Mode 7

A display device of the present invention can be used as a displayportion of an electronic device.

The electronic device described in this embodiment mode has any of thedisplay device described in Embodiment Modes 1 to 5. By using apolarizing light source whose extraction efficiency of light isimproved, low consumption power can be realized. In addition, this lightsource is provided on a counter substrate and a liquid crystal panel isintegrally provided with this light source, so that the thickness of thepanel and a space which has been necessary so far for a light source(lighting device) can be reduced. A thin space-saving liquid crystaldisplay device which consumes less power, or the like can be realized.

As an electronic device of the present invention, a video camera, adigital camera, a goggle type display, a navigation system, an audioreproducing device (car audio set, audio component set, or the like), acomputer, a game machine, a portable information terminal (mobilecomputer, mobile phone, portable game machine, an e-book reader, or thelike), and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium(specifically, a device provided with a display device that canreproduce a recording medium such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) anddisplay the image), and the like are given. Specific examples of theseelectronic devices are shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D.

FIG. 11A shows a television device according to the present invention,which includes a chassis 9101, a supporting base 9102, a display portion9103, a speaker portion 9104, a video input terminal 9105, and the like.In the television device, the display device of the present inventioncan be used as the display portion 9103. By using a polarizing lightsource whose extraction efficiency of light is improved, powerconsumption of the main body of the television device can be reduced.Therefore, a product suitable for a living environment can be provided.

FIG. 11B shows a computer according to the present invention, whichincludes a main body 9201, a chassis 9202, a display portion 9203, akeyboard 9204, an external connection port 9205, a pointing device 9206,and the like. In this computer, the display device of the presentinvention can be used as the display portion 9203. By using a polarizinglight source whose extraction efficiency of light is improved, powerconsumption of the computer itself can be reduced.

FIG. 11C shows a mobile phone which includes a main body 9401, a chassis9402, a display portion 9403, an audio input portion 9404, an audiooutput portion 9405, an operation key 9406, an external connection port9407, an antenna 9408, and the like. In the mobile phone, the displaydevice of the present invention can be used as the display portion 9403.By using a polarizing light source whose extraction efficiency of lightis improved, power consumption of the mobile phone can be reduced toimprove convenience.

FIG. 11D shows a camera which includes a main body 9501, a displayportion 9502, a chassis 9503, an external connection port 9504, a remotecontrol receiving portion 9505, an image receiving portion 9506, abattery 9507, an audio input portion 9508, an operation key 9509, an eyepiece portion 9510, and the like. In the camera, the display device ofthe present invention can be used as the display portion 9502. By usinga polarizing light source whose extraction efficiency of light isimproved, power consumption of the main body of the camera can bereduced to improve convenience.

As described above, the applicable range of the display device of thepresent invention is so wide that the display device is applicable toelectronic devices in various fields. By applying the present invention,a thin space-saving electronic device which consumes less power can bemanufactured.

Embodiment Mode 8

The display device of the present invention can also be used as alighting device. One mode of using the display device of the presentinvention as the lighting device will be described with reference toFIGS. 12A to 14.

The display device can be used as a headlight of an automobile, abicycle, a ship, or the like. FIGS. 12A to 12C each show an example inwhich the display device of the present invention is used as a headlightof an automobile. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view in which a portionof a headlight 1000 in FIG. 12A is enlarged. In FIG. 12B, a displaydevice of the present invention is used as a light source 1011. Lightemitted from the light source 1011 is reflected by a reflecting plate1012 to be extracted to outside. With the use of a plurality of lightsources as shown in FIG. 12B, light with higher luminance can beobtained. FIG. 12C shows an example in which the display device of thepresent invention manufactured in a cylindrical shape is used as a lightsource. Light emitted from a light source 1021 is reflected by areflecting plate 1022 to be extracted to outside.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which the display device of the presentinvention is used as a desk lamp, which is a lighting device. A desklamp shown in FIG. 13 has a chassis 2101 and a light source 2102, andthe display device of the present invention is used as the light source2102. The display device of the present invention is thin andspace-saving; therefore, the degree of freedom for location is high in aroom.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which the display device of the presentinvention is used as an indoor lighting device 3001. Since the displaydevice of the present invention can have a large area, the displaydevice of the present invention can be used as a lighting device havinga large area. Further, the display device of the present invention isthin and consumes less power; therefore, the display device of thepresent invention can be used as a lighting device having a thin shapeand consuming less power. A television device 3002 according to thepresent invention as described in FIG. 11A may be placed in a room inwhich the display device of the present invention is used as the indoorlighting device 3001 in such a manner. Thus, public broadcasting andmovies can be watched. In such a case, since both of the devices consumeless power, a powerful image can be watched in a bright room withoutconcern about electricity charges.

A lighting device is not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 12A to12C, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, and is applicable as a lighting device withvarious modes such as lighting for houses or public facilities. In sucha case, since a light emitting medium having a thin film shape is usedfor the lighting device according to the present invention, the degreeof freedom for design is high. Accordingly, various elaborately-designedproducts can be provided in the market.

In such a manner, by using the display device of the present invention,a thin space-saving electronic device which consumes less power can beprovided. This embodiment mode can be freely combined with any of theembodiment modes.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial No.2006-155470 filed in Japan Patent Office on Jun. 2, 2006, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A lighting device comprising: a first electrode using a reflectivematerial; a second electrode using a light-transmitting conductive filman EL layer interposed between the first electrode and the secondelectrode; and a selective reflection structure, wherein light emittedfrom the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode, wherein theselective reflection structure is provided adjacent to a lightextraction side of the second electrode, and wherein the selectivereflection structure is capable of transmitting light of a particularpolarization component and reflecting the other light.
 2. A lightingdevice comprising: a substrate; a first electrode; an EL layer; a secondelectrode; and a selective reflection structure, wherein the firstelectrode, the EL layer, and the second electrode are sequentiallystacked over the substrate, wherein the first electrode comprises areflective material, wherein the second electrode comprises alight-transmitting material, wherein light emitted from the EL layer isextracted from the second electrode, wherein the selective reflectionstructure is provided adjacent to a light extraction side of the secondelectrode, and wherein the selective reflection structure is capable oftransmitting light of a particular polarization component and reflectingthe other light.
 3. A lighting device comprising: a substrate using alight-transmitting material; a second electrode using alight-transmitting material; an EL layer; a first electrode using areflective material; and a selective reflection structure providedadjacent to the second electrode, wherein the second electrode, the ELlayer, and the first electrode are sequentially stacked over one side ofthe substrate, wherein the selective reflection structure is providedover the other side of the substrate, wherein light emitted from the ELlayer is extracted from the second electrode, wherein light extractedfrom the second electrode enters the selective reflection structurethrough the substrate, and wherein the selective reflection structure iscapable of transmitting light of a particular polarization component ofentering light and reflecting the other light.
 4. A lighting devicecomprising: a substrate using a light-transmitting material; a secondelectrode using a light-transmitting material; an EL layer; a firstelectrode using a reflective material; an adhesive layer; and aselective reflection structure, wherein the second electrode, the ELlayer, and the first electrode are sequentially stacked over one side ofthe substrate, wherein the adhesive layer is provided in contact withthe other side of the substrate, wherein the selective reflectionstructure is provided in contact with the adhesive layer, wherein lightemitted from the EL layer is extracted from the second electrode,wherein light extracted from the second electrode enters the selectivereflection structure through the substrate and the adhesive layer, andwherein the selective reflection structure is capable of transmittinglight of a particular polarization component of entering light andreflecting the other light.
 5. The lighting device according to claim 1,wherein the selective reflection structure comprises an opticalstructure combined with a function of a polarization beam splitter whichis formed to transmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave to the firstelectrode side.
 6. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises an optical structure combinedwith a function of a polarization beam splitter which is formed totransmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave to the first electrode side. 7.The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the selectivereflection structure comprises an optical structure combined with afunction of a polarization beam splitter which is formed to transmit aP-wave and reflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 8. Thelighting device according to claim 4, wherein the selective reflectionstructure comprises an optical structure combined with a function of apolarization beam splitter which is formed to transmit a P-wave andreflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 9. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises an optical structure combined with plural functions ofpolarization beam splitters which are formed to transmit a P-wave andreflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 10. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises an optical structure combined with plural functions ofpolarization beam splitters which are formed to transmit a P-wave andreflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 11. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises an optical structure combined with plural functions ofpolarization beam splitters which are formed to transmit a P-wave andreflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 12. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises an optical structure combined with plural functions ofpolarization beam splitters which are formed to transmit a P-wave andreflect an S-wave to the first electrode side.
 13. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate transmitting a circular polarizationcomponent including a particular rotation direction of light whichenters and converting transmitted light of the circular polarizationcomponent into linear polarization, and wherein the selective reflectionstructure comprises a reflective polarizing function which is formed toreflect light of the other component to the first electrode side. 14.The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the selectivereflection structure comprises a retardation plate transmitting acircular polarization component including a particular rotationdirection of light which enters and converting transmitted light of thecircular polarization component into linear polarization, and whereinthe selective reflection structure comprises a reflective polarizingfunction which is formed to reflect light of the other component to thefirst electrode side.
 15. The lighting device according to claim 3,wherein the selective reflection structure comprises a retardation platetransmitting a circular polarization component including a particularrotation direction of light which enters and converting transmittedlight of the circular polarization component into linear polarization,and wherein the selective reflection structure comprises a reflectivepolarizing function which is formed to reflect light of the othercomponent to the first electrode side.
 16. The lighting device accordingto claim 4, wherein the selective reflection structure comprises aretardation plate transmitting a circular polarization componentincluding a particular rotation direction of light which enters andconverting transmitted light of the circular polarization component intolinear polarization, and wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a reflective polarizing function which is formed to reflectlight of the other component to the first electrode side.
 17. Thelighting device according to claim 1, wherein the selective reflectionstructure comprises a retardation plate.
 18. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate.
 19. The lighting device according toclaim 3, wherein the selective reflection structure comprises aretardation plate.
 20. The lighting device according to claim 4, whereinthe selective reflection structure comprises a retardation plate. 21.The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising ascattering layer between the second electrode and the selectivereflection structure.
 22. The lighting device according to claim 2,further comprising a scattering layer between the second electrode andthe selective reflection structure.
 23. The lighting device according toclaim 3, further comprising a scattering layer between the secondelectrode and the selective reflection structure.
 24. The lightingdevice according to claim 4, further comprising a scattering layerbetween the second electrode and the selective reflection structure. 25.A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal providedbetween a first substrate and a second substrate; a pixel electrodeusing a light-transmitting conductive film; and a semiconductor elementconnected to the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode and thesemiconductor element are formed over the first substrate, wherein thefirst substrate is a light-transmitting and insulating substrate,wherein the second substrate is provided with a first electrode using areflective material, an EL layer, a second electrode using alight-transmitting conductive film, and a selective reflection structureprovided adjacent to the second electrode, wherein light emitted fromthe EL layer is extracted from the second electrode, and wherein theselective reflection structure is provided on a light extraction side ofthe second electrode.
 26. A liquid crystal display device comprising: aliquid crystal provided between a first substrate and a secondsubstrate; a pixel electrode using a light-transmitting conductive film;and a semiconductor element connected to the pixel electrode, whereinthe pixel electrode and the semiconductor element are formed over thefirst substrate, wherein the first substrate is a light-transmitting andinsulating substrate, wherein the second substrate is provided with aselective reflection structure on a surface facing the pixel electrode,wherein a second electrode using a light-transmitting conductive film,an EL layer, and a first electrode using a reflective material aresequentially stacked over a back side of the second substrate, andwherein the second substrate is a light-transmitting and insulatingsubstrate.
 27. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquidcrystal provided between a first substrate and a second substrate; apixel electrode using a light-transmitting conductive film; asemiconductor element connected to the pixel electrode; and a selectivereflection structure, wherein the pixel electrode and the semiconductorelement are formed over the first substrate, wherein the first substrateis a light-transmitting and insulating substrate, wherein the secondsubstrate is provided with an adhesive layer in contact with a surfacefacing the pixel electrode, wherein the selective reflection structureis provided in contact with the adhesive layer, wherein a secondelectrode using a light-transmitting conductive film, an EL layer, and afirst electrode using a reflective material are sequentially stackedover a back side of the second substrate, and wherein the secondsubstrate is a light-transmitting and insulating substrate.
 28. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 25, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises an optical structure combinedwith a function of a polarization beam splitter which is formed totransmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave to the first electrode side. 29.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 26, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises an optical structure combinedwith a function of a polarization beam splitter which is formed totransmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave to the first electrode side. 30.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 27, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises an optical structure combinedwith a function of a polarization beam splitter which is formed totransmit a P-wave and reflect an S-wave to the first electrode side. 31.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 25, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises a retardation platetransmitting a circular polarization component including a particularrotation direction of light which enters and converting transmittedlight of the circular polarization component into linear polarization,and wherein the selective reflection structure comprises a reflectivepolarizing function which is formed to reflect light of the othercomponent to the first electrode side.
 32. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 26, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate transmitting a circular polarizationcomponent including a particular rotation direction of light whichenters and converting transmitted light of the circular polarizationcomponent into linear polarization, and wherein the selective reflectionstructure comprises a reflective polarizing function which is formed toreflect light of the other component to the first electrode side. 33.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 27, wherein theselective reflection structure comprises a retardation platetransmitting a circular polarization component including a particularrotation direction of light which enters and converting transmittedlight of the circular polarization component into linear polarization,and wherein the selective reflection structure comprises a reflectivepolarizing function which is formed to reflect light of the othercomponent to the first electrode side.
 34. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 25, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate.
 35. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 26, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate.
 36. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 27, wherein the selective reflection structurecomprises a retardation plate.
 37. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 25, wherein a scattering layer is provided betweenthe second electrode and the selective reflection structure.
 38. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 26, wherein ascattering layer is provided between the second electrode and theselective reflection structure.
 39. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 27, wherein a scattering layer is provided betweenthe second electrode and the selective reflection structure.
 40. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 25, wherein the ELlayer is selectively provided to overlap with a pixel region.
 41. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 26, wherein the ELlayer is selectively provided to overlap with a pixel region.
 42. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 27, wherein the ELlayer is selectively provided to overlap with a pixel region.
 43. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein theselective reflection structure is in contact with the second electrodevia an adhesive layer.
 44. The liquid crystal display device accordingto claim 2, wherein the selective reflection structure is in contactwith the second electrode via an adhesive layer.
 45. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 25, wherein the selective reflectionstructure is in contact with the second electrode via an adhesive layer.